In the spring of 2000, I was commissioned to create a 136’ mural for a local Atlanta restaurant and at the time I did not have a studio. I commandeered my garage and spent everyday for six weeks dragging the sixteen nine-foot panels in and out of my makeshift studio, working on them in my driveway and front yard. As the canvases were to be presented as a series abutting one another, I had to work on at least three at a time so the Barracudas Dolphin fish and tuna could “swim” from one panel to another. The installation created the illusion of one continuous underwater dining scene. My young children and parents (they are pictured; that’s me in the overalls) often checked on my progress and assisted me with moving the canvases around. At the time, my children and I were living at our home (next door to my parents) within walking distance to a local amphitheater. On many spring and summer evenings, working late in my driveway and front yard, passing concert-goers would often stop and put their coolers down to ask what I was working on from the street. During this time, I recalled the advice of a fine arts college professor of mine: there is no excuse to not create the art that compels you: money or no money, studio or no studio, time or no time. He advised whatever the challenges are, make the creation happen, and I did. And being able to work with my family around me made the accomplishment all the sweeter.

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